Pipe Clamp Assembly with Positioning Element for Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing pipe clamping arrangements with clamping rings experience uneven pressure distribution due to gaps in the clamping ring, leading to suboptimal connection tightness and incorrect pressing when using crimping tools, which can result in misalignment and improper clamping.
Innovation Solution
A pipe clamp design featuring a connecting piece, clamping ring, and clamping sleeve with a positioning element that allows alignment and rotation inhibition, ensuring the clamping sleeve and ring are fixed relative to the connecting piece, preventing incorrect pressing and ensuring uniform pressure distribution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a clamping ring with a gap is used to connect pipe ends, then the clamping ring can be compressed to tighten the connection, but the pressure distribution on the pipe end becomes uneven, affecting connection tightness
Solution Approach 1:
The clamping ring is divided into two separate clamping halves that can be independently positioned and compressed. Each clamping half can be uniformly compressed without the interference of gaps, ensuring even pressure distribution on the pipe end while maintaining ease of assembly and compression.
2Force
If the clamping ring is compressed by pressing the ear, then the clamping force is applied to tighten the connection, but the clamp pivots about its central axis, resulting in incorrect pressing and misalignment
Solution Approach 1:
The clamping ring is segmented into two clamping halves that are pressed simultaneously from opposite sides. This segmentation eliminates the pivoting motion about the central axis, as the forces are applied symmetrically, ensuring correct alignment and precise pressing without rotational deviation.
Solution Approach 2:
The clamping halves are pre-positioned on the pipe end before compression, with alignment features ensuring proper orientation. This preliminary positioning prevents misalignment during compression, as the clamping halves are already correctly aligned with the pipe axis and each other before the compressive force is applied.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
Figure 4a~4c
AI summary
The invention relates to a pipe clamp (1) for connecting a pipe, comprising: a connection piece (2), which can be inserted into an end of the pipe and which has a center axis (M); a clamping ring (3), which has, along the periphery thereof, an annular segment (4) and a radially outwardly extending ear (5), which ear can be compressed by a tool; and a clamping sleeve (6), which can be compressed by the clamping ring (3). The pipe clamp (1) also comprises at least one positioning element (9), which is arranged in such a way that, before the ear (5) is compressed, the rotational position about the center axis (M) can be aligned between the connection piece (2) and the clamping sleeve (6) and/or the clamping ring (3) and that a rotation restriction between the connection piece (2) and the clamping sleeve (6) and/or the clamping ring (3) can be provided by means of the positioning element (9).